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Russia’s Export-Ready Su-34M Fighter-Bomber Spotted Near Moscow, Fueling Algeria Delivery Speculation
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![Photo of Maryna Kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
A Su-34M fighter-bomber in export configuration has been spotted at Zhukovsky Airport outside Moscow, sparking speculation that Russia is preparing its first Su-34M deliveries to Algeria, defense outlet Defence Blog reported on August 8.
The sighting, which emerged earlier this week, suggests movement on long-delayed defense export deals between Moscow and Algiers. In December 2019, Algerian defense outlets reported agreements for 42 aircraft—14 Su-34MEs, 14 Su-57Es, and 14 Su-35Es—with deliveries initially expected by 2025.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the resulting strain on its air force appear to have pushed that timeline back. Facing heavy wartime losses and heightened domestic demand, Moscow has prioritized rebuilding its own Su-34 fleet before fulfilling export orders.
According to open-source intelligence group Oryx, Russia has lost at least 37 Su-34s and one Su-34M since February 2022, based on visually confirmed evidence—a number likely below the actual total.
The Su-34ME is an advanced export variant of Russia’s twin-seat strike aircraft, designed for deep precision strikes, battlefield interdiction, and maritime attack missions. It retains the platform’s hallmark systems, including terrain-following and side-looking radar, a multi-mode targeting suite for both land and naval operations, and compatibility with a broad array of Russian air-to-surface and air-to-air weaponry.
Earlier, Ukrainian military-linked sources reported that Russian fighter jets are now deploying the advanced K-77M missile—also known as Izdelie 180 or R-77M—in combat operations over Ukraine.
